Children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster have arrived in Banbury for a holiday that could help them live longer.

Mayor of Banbury Tony Mepham greets children from Chernobyl

Five boys and five girls from Belarus, the Eastern European state that suffered 70 per cent of the fallout when a nuclear power station exploded in 1986, will spend a month eating uncontaminated food, drinking clean water, and breathing fresh air.

The holiday may increase their life expectancy -- which is only 40 -- by two or three years, according to Rob Overy, welfare officer for the north Oxfordshire branch of the national charity Chernobyl Children Lifeline, which is organising the visit.

The children, aged between eight and 11, will stay with families in Banbury, and receive medical checks during their stay.

Their busy schedule features 16 days out to places such as Blenheim Palace, Legoland and Drayton Manor theme park. A camping trip to Bournemouth is also planned.

The children's first stop was the New Inn, Middleton Cheney, where they were met by the mayor of Banbury, Tony Mepham, before being introduced to their host families.

The north Oxfordshire Lifeline Link was formed in October 2001.

It aims to invite Belarus children for a month's visit every summer.